Harald P Portig

US Patent:

6397029, May 28, 2002

Filed:

Jan 11, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/760316

Inventors:

Harald Portig - Versailles KY

Assignee:

Lexmark International, Inc - Lexington KY

International Classification:

G03G 1500

US Classification:

399167, 399116

Abstract:

A coupler for transferring rotary motion from a drive gear to a photoconductive drum or ITM belt within an image forming apparatus. In one embodiment, the coupler includes a substantially cylindrical body having first and second ends having extensions extending outward for mating respectively with the drive gear and photoconductive drum. One surface of each of the extension may include a rounded drive surface. One end of the coupler may further include a wall that mounts against a dome extending outward from one of the drive gear or photoconductive drum. One of the drive gear or photoconductive drum may further include axially aligned ridges that are straddled by the coupler to allow for the coupler to axially slide and maintain contact with the photoconductive drum and drive gear even during misalignment.

US Patent:

6567633, May 20, 2003

Filed:

Sep 28, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/965884

Inventors:

Robert Leonard Burdick - Lancaster KY
Mark Andrew Omelchenko - Lexington KY
Stacy Marie Pargett - Richmond KY
Harald Portig - Versailles KY

Assignee:

Lexmark International, Inc. - Lexington KY

International Classification:

G03G 1500

US Classification:

399165, 474101, 474122

Abstract:

An improved intermediate belt system (ITM module) is provided, which controls the lateral motion of the belt in the scan direction of an EP printer, without the use of edge reinforcements or other attachments added to the belt. The tracking system of this ITM module is passive, and maintains roll alignment/parallelism within a predetermined tolerance while also maintaining roll conicity-end flare to a predetermined maximum diametral variation over the roll to minimize the effect of external forces on the belt walk rate. The ITM module also provides angled tracking guides near the tension roll to control the lateral position of the belt; the position of these tracking guides is adjustable at time of manufacture to achieve the desired lateral belt position.

US Patent:

6580881, Jun 17, 2003

Filed:

Oct 4, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/970829

Inventors:

Matthew Christopher Coriale - Lexington KY
Jonathan Carey Frey - Lexington KY
Harald Portig - Versailles KY
John Parker Richey - Lexington KY
Wen-hsiung Adam Tseng - Lexington KY
Liqun Larry Wang - Lexington KY

Assignee:

Lexmark International, Inc. - Lexington KY

International Classification:

G03G 1508

US Classification:

399 35, 399 27

Abstract:

Waste toner is detected in a container of an image forming apparatus. An auger is provided within the container. A switch is provided which is operable depending upon a torque associated with operation of the auger. A frequency of activation of the switch is detected. A ânot fullâ, ânear fullâ and âfullâ condition of the waste toner in the container is determined depending upon the frequency of activation of the switch.

US Patent:

7003246, Feb 21, 2006

Filed:

Mar 25, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/809653

Inventors:

Hrishikesh Pramod Gogate - Lexington KY, US
Harald Portig - Versailles KY, US

Assignee:

Lexmark International, Inc. - Lexington KY

International Classification:

G03G 15/16

US Classification:

399122

Abstract:

A nip release mechanism for a fuser of a printing device includes a movable component in the printer base frame moved by opening and closing a cover, and a follower component in the fuser which follows movement of the movable component to adjust positions of a fuser pressure roll.

US Patent:

7082275, Jul 25, 2006

Filed:

Mar 19, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/804691

Inventors:

Harald Portig - Versailles KY, US
Larry Steven Foster - Lexington KY, US
Benjamin Alan Askren - Lexington KY, US

Assignee:

Lexmark International, Inc. - Lexington KY

International Classification:

G03G 15/00

US Classification:

399110, 399117

Abstract:

A biasing mechanism in an image forming apparatus exerts a variable force on a removable cartridge unit to generate a nip force between a roller in the cartridge unit and another roller. A pivot member is fixed to the apparatus housing. An arm is pivotally mounted in the housing about the pivot member, with the arm in contact with a protrusion on the cartridge unit. A force generating member is mounted in the housing and contacts the arm so as to urge the arm to pivot about the pivot member and press against the cartridge unit. The resulting force exerted on the cartridge unit by the arm varies according to the point of contact between the cartridge unit and the arm. In some embodiments, the arm and the cartridge unit protrusion are electrically conductive, and an electrical contact is established as the arm is pressed against the protrusion.

US Patent:

7130562, Oct 31, 2006

Filed:

Mar 26, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/810139

Inventors:

Larry Steven Foster - Lexington KY, US
Edward Lawrence Kiely - Lexington KY, US
Robert Galon Newman - Lexington KY, US
Harald Portig - Versailles KY, US
David Erwin Rennick - Georgetown KY, US
Edward Lynn Triplett - Lexington KY, US

Assignee:

Lexmark International, Inc. - Lexington KY

International Classification:

G03G 21/18
G03G 15/00

US Classification:

399112, 399110, 399125

Abstract:

In an image forming apparatus containing a plurality of rollers disposed with generally parallel axes, a retraction plate containing a plurality of rotational couplings is movable between engaged and retracted positions. Each rotational coupling is operative to transmit a rotary force to each cartridge when the retraction plate is in the engaged position. The couplings move laterally in an axial direction of the rollers as the retraction plate moves between the engaged and retracted positions, in response to an applied force. In one embodiment, the retraction plate is rotated about a pivot point to move the couplings between engaged and retracted positions. In another embodiment, the retraction plate is translated laterally in the axial direction of the couplings.

US Patent:

7162182, Jan 9, 2007

Filed:

Mar 19, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/804488

Inventors:

Jeffrey L. Tonges - Versailles KY, US
Daniel L. Carter - Georgetown KY, US
Kerry Leland Embry - Midway KY, US
Larry Steven Foster - Lexington KY, US
Harald Portig - Versailles KY, US
David Erwin Rennick - Georgetown KY, US
Darren Wayne Tosh - Lexington KY, US
Edward Lynn Triplett - Lexington KY, US

Assignee:

Lexmark International, Inc. - Lexington KY

International Classification:

G03G 15/00

US Classification:

399110, 399107, 399125

Abstract:

A door assembly movably positioned to a body of an image forming device. The door assembly includes a first frame and a second frame. The first frame is movably attached to the body, and the second frame is movably attached to the first frame. The movable connections between the frames and the main body cause accurate locating of a photoconductive member mounted on the door assembly within the body. In one embodiment, a contour surface within the body contacts the second frame to locate the second frame within the body. Methods of moving the door assembly are also disclosed including moving the door assembly from an open orientation that is spaced from the body, to a closed orientation that is in proximity to the body. The movement of the door assembly causes interaction between the frames and the body to accurately locate the second frame.

US Patent:

7236722, Jun 26, 2007

Filed:

Aug 25, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/211883

Inventors:

Harald Portig - Versailles KY, US

Assignee:

Lexmark International, Inc. - Lexington KY

International Classification:

G03G 15/02
G03G 15/08
G03G 15/16

US Classification:

399167, 399121, 399122

Abstract:

Embodiments for driving a removable element within an image forming device. An output member positioned within the image forming device mates with an input member of the removable element. The members include ribs that mate together such that rotational force from the output member is transferred to the input member. The ribs of the members include non-complementary contact surfaces that provide for limited contact along the contact surfaces that accurately transfers the driving force.